Are mongooses commonly seen in Udawalawe?

Yes, mongooses are a common sight in Udawalawe National Park. They often dash across dirt tracks or forage in the scrub jungle, and it feels like you can blink and they are already somewhere else. The Ruddy Mongoose and the Stripe-necked Mongoose are the species you run into the most.

These little agile meat eaters do well in the park’s dry-zone ecosystem. They spend their time hunting insects, small reptiles, and even ground-nesting birds. For the most part, they are active by day, so they stay in view for tourists during the usual safari hours. If you want to see them, you need a sharp eye, because they slip and move fast through the undergrowth.